Bluejay runners complete strong week with two meets

The Three Lakes-Phelps varsity cross country teams ran in two meets last week around the Northwoods after having no meets two weeks ago due to a cancelation. It worked out well for the Bluejays, as multiple runners posted top times in a smaller field in Crandon on Sept. 8 and then again at the Ted Voigt Invite at Minocqua Winter on Sept. 10.

Both meets were good tests for both the boys’ and girls’ teams.

The Three Lakes-Phelps varsity team opened the two-meet week with a trip to Crandon to face runners from Crandon, Laona-Wabeno, Florence-Niagara, Forest Park and Pembine-Goodman. Waltz dominated his competition to take first place by over a minute in the team’s second race of the season. Head Coach Laurie Levandoski said Waltz’s times aren’t quite where he wants them early on, mostly due to being alone for most of the first few races.

“While Nolan’s times aren’t quite what he’s been hoping for for these first few weeks, having some bigger races in the coming weeks will help. Having runners to chase or to be chased by runners will start to bring his times down,” explained Levandoski.

The Three Lakes senior finished the course in 17:35, good for a 5:40 pace. The second-place finisher from Crandon crossed the finish line in 18:53.6. The other boys’ runner was freshman Jaymz Comella, who finished in 26:11.

For the girls, sophomore Bekah Koch led the field with a 22:49.5.

Coach Levandoski said Koch has worked hard early this season and over the summer, which is being noticed in her early-season times on the course.

“She has been working incredibly hard all season, but more importantly, she also put in the effort over the summer with consistent summer mileage. This is a huge benefit as we wrap up the first few weeks of our season,” Levandoski stated.

Bluejay teammates Rylee Glembin and Erica Stauffer picked up runner-up and third place for Three Lakes to sweep the top three spots. Glembin ran for a time of 23:45, while Stauffer finished at 23:50.9.

“Both girls have been running really well this season and have some big goals for the latter part of the season,” said Levandoski.

Sophomore Grace Mandli picked up another top-10 finish in eighth, posting a time of 26:37. Senior Mikayla Corbett and junior Abby Raddatz finished a few spots after Mandli in 11th and 12th. Both Corbett and Raddatz improved their first race times by roughly a minute. Corbett improved on a 29:18 time with her 28:02 in Crandon. Raddatz improved from 29:06 to 28:11. Senior Emma Eppler finished at 33:40, which was also an improvement by nearly a minute from the Rhinelander meet.

A few days later, the Bluejays traveled to Minocqua for the Ted Voigt Invite last Thursday. Waltz led the field early but was later chased by Lakeland’s Charlie Ernst. Ernst eventually got out ahead of Waltz but finished in the runner-up position.

Ernst finished at 16:44, and Waltz finished at 17:09. Those two were out ahead of the field by more than 30 seconds. Comella finished a challenging course with another improved time of 24:34.

“This course is challenging with some tough hills throughout the race,” noted Levandoski. 

Three girls’ runners posted top-10 spots in Minocqua, led by Glembin’s fifth-place finish.

Stauffer finished about nine seconds later in sixth place, while Koch took 10th at 23:45.

Mandli finished alone in 12th place, while Corbett and Madelynn Hanneman finished with times of 27:58 and 34:28, respectively.

Three Lakes will spend this coming week preparing for the Smiley Invite at Wausau East this Saturday, Sept. 19.